The Mississippi Gulf Coast, the exciting "Playground of the South," is where FishStock, the total saltwater experience, awaits you.

No matter what your idea of a heavenly getaway is, you're sure to find it on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. From 26 miles of scenic beaches to nonstop casino action, sophisticated shopping, culture, history, arts, delectable cuisine and championship golf courses, the "Playground of the South" has it all and everything in between.

Whether you're attending FishStock solo, as a couple or as a family, you'll find plenty to entertain every member of your group.

For some truly high-stakes fun after FishStock, check out casino gaming. Twelve casinos have brought the excitement of Las Vegas to the beach, with table games and slot machines galore. All casinos are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Some offer supervised activities for children; some are complete resort complexes with golf courses and hotels as part of their package and more casino developments are on the way. Most casinos offer all the fun and exciting games you might find in Atlantic City or even Las Vegas. Beyond the casino floor, many casinos offer spa services, a variety of dining experiences, live shows, and more!

The Mississippi Gulf Coast hugs the Gulf of Mexico and is approximately an hour's drive from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the west and Mobile, Alabama, to the east. The region's major interstates, I-55, I-65, I-85 to I-10 and I-110 and State Highway 49 and U.S. Highway 90, which runs along the Gulf waters, services the greater Biloxi area.

DIVERSITIES ABOUND
If outdoor fun is high on your list, you need look no further than the beach for adventure. Get a bird's-eye view of the entire shoreline with a parasail ride over the Gulf, or hop on a Jet Ski or try your hand at windsurfing, sailing, skiing or motorboating. Water parks with everything from a wave pool, slides, bumper boats and amusements such as miniature golf, rides and arcades are also among the outdoor set's list of favorite places on the coast. The ultimate beach experience -- spending a day on a barrier island -- is only a ferry ride away.

For lovers of sports, there's no better place to be than the "Playground of the South." A temperate climate and generally pleasant weather mean year-round fun.

If you want to put your new FishStock seminar information into action, you can plan a daylong or an overnight trip into the rich Gulf waters or fish the area's many lakes and rivers.

If you believe a great day is a day on the links, over 20 golf courses offer challenges for every skill level, and the greens fees are surprisingly lower than those of comparable golf resort areas. With several courses recently refurbished and new ones either under construction or in the planning stages, the Gulf Coast is a choice destination for golf lovers near and far.

HISTORY
For a little peace and quiet, a simple drive along the beach will treat visitors to the unparalleled beauty of graceful live oaks, unique landmarks and antebellum homes. Historic neighborhoods provide a lesson in the notable architecture of the past, and annual pilgrimages offer an inside glimpse of the area's gracious homes, some of which have stood for more than a century.

ART
Art and history play an important role in the character of the Gulf Coast. Two museums are dedicated to the works of two of the area's most famous artists, potter George E. Ohr and painter/sculptor Walter Inglis Anderson. A seafood industry museum commemorates the significant role that this industry has played in shaping the region, and a marine education center teaches visitors about the coast's environment and displays aquatic life native to the Gulf of Mexico in a 42,000-gallon aquarium. At another marine attraction, Marine Life, visitors can see daily shows of trained dolphins and view other types of marine life.

ENJOY BILOXI'S WEATHER
The mild climate of the Mississippi Gulf Coast has long attracted tourists and industry alike. Annual average temperature is 68 degrees, ranging from a 30-year average of 52 degrees in the coldest month to 82 degree in the hottest month. Annual average precipitation is 61 inches, ample rainfall for our vibrant azaleas and other garden flowers.

DISCOVER BILOXI'S SHOPPING
If a shopping expedition is what it takes to put a smile on your face, you'll have plenty to rave about along the coast. Edgewater Mall and Edgewater Village in Biloxi offer a mix of department stores and specialty boutiques. The new Crossroads Center and Prime Outlets, a factory outlet mall at Gulfport just off I-10, brings shoppers bargains in name-brand clothing, home accessories, jewelry, books, music and more. For unique finds, try the huge flea market that operates on weekends in Pass Christian off I-10.

DISCOVER BILOXI'S AMBIANCE
For party people, rest assured there's a celebration somewhere along the coast you can enjoy. Locals sometimes say that the Gulf Coast has a celebration for every crustacean, and that's not far from the truth. The abundance of fresh seafood -- crabs, shrimp, oysters, fish, crawfish -- is reason enough to have a party. Add the area's diverse cultural mix, season it with music, heritage and an overall spirit of fun, and you've got enough festivals to fill practically every weekend of the year.

To be sure, Biloxi is a great place to live, and there's much more to consider than its mild climate and prime location on the Gulf of Mexico. The city offers a quality of life unsurpassed in the Deep South.

The terrific climate of Biloxi means year-round recreation. In addition to the 20-plus public golf courses open all year, and dozens of charter boats, the city also maintains five multiple purpose community centers, 28 parks, 13 baseball and softball fields, and four soccer fields (with more on the way). There are also 13 tennis courts, three gymnasiums, a senior citizen's center and several public fishing piers. Biloxi also boasts the only Olympic-size, all-weather natatorium in the state.

Combine all there is to see and do with the hospitality here on the Gulf Coast, and you'll know in an instant that you've brought your vacation fantasy to the right place: "The Playground of the South."

DISCOVER BILOXI'S FISHING
With about 100 miles of coastline and five barrier islands along the Gulf Coast, Mississippi also offers world-class saltwater fishing for a wide variety of saltwater and brackish-water species including redfish, speckled trout, Spanish and king mackerel, black and blue marlin, swordfish, cobia, amberjack and many others.

Literally hundred of guides can take you on excellent saltwater fishing trips from the back bays and bayous to the blue water.

OFFSHORE
Offshore fishing seems to be getting better and better all the time. Although the seas can get a little choppy at times, anglers can hit the Gulf rip and catch a lot of dolphin. Anglers can decide to head south or east and stay busy with both tuna and wahoo. Billfish are plentiful and are tagged continuously. Watch the winds; steady to light patterns make great conditions for fishing. Rig fishermen continue to bring in limits of snapper, grouper, amberjack and ling. The rigs in West Delta produce some great catches, while the rigs to the east tend to hold bigger fish. For those who want to target tarpon, check with the local marinas and guides for locations and seasons, for this great game species is found throughout the Delta.

INSHORE
Access to those waters is as easy as it gets along the Gulf. Inshore anglers will wear themselves out on reds which seem to be everywhere from Red Pass all the way to Breton Sound. Speck fishermen can have good luck at the close-in rigs. To enhance your visit to the Delta region, numerous houseboats offer overnight accommodations and meals, and numerous motels and restaurants are available to accommodate your every need.

Let the good times roll!